Chapter 288

Huīyā regained consciousness amid a blaring system alarm.

Translation: "Grey Crow regained consciousness amid a blaring system alarm." But we need to keep the name as per our decision: we decided to use pinyin "Huīyā". However the line is about the character; we need to translate the name as we decided. Should we use "Huīyā" or "Grey Crow"? According to rule, we should romanize the nickname if it's used as name. So we will use "Huīyā". However we need to ensure the translation sounds natural. "Huīyā regained consciousness amid a blaring system alarm." That's okay.

Huīyā regained consciousness amid a blaring system alarm.

Huīyā couldn't remember how they had come back.

Huīyā couldn't remember how they had come back.

Thus: "Huīyā couldn't remember how they had come back."

The independent life-support pod burst open, spraying icy nutrient fluid everywhere.

Translation: "The independent life-support pod burst open, spraying icy nutrient fluid everywhere." Keep as single line.

Huīyā struggled to sit up, and the red garbled code flashing on the retina finally coalesced into a clear line of text.

Huīyā struggled to sit up, and the red garbled code flashing on the retina finally coalesced into a clear line of text.

Warning: The unit has sustained 78% damage, with irreversible deformation in multiple alloy skeletons and an overloaded sixth-stage crystal core; immediate hibernation repair mode is advised.

Translation: "【Warning: Body damage rate 78%, multiple alloy skeletons show irreversible deformation, sixth-stage crystal core computational core overloaded; advised to immediately enter hibernation repair mode.】"

We need to keep brackets and colon etc. Keep as is.

Hibernation?

Translation: "Hibernation?"

Huīyā's specially altered brain, which hardly produces excess emotions, for the first time displayed a baseline datum labeled 'fear'.

Translation: "Huīyā's specially modified brain, which hardly produced excess emotions, for the first time surfaced a underlying datum named 'fear'." Need natural: "Huīyā's specially altered brain, which hardly generated excess emotions, for the first time produced a baseline reading labeled 'fear'." Let's craft: "Huīyā's specially modified brain, which hardly produced excess emotions, for the first time generated a baseline datum labeled 'fear'."

Huīyā lowered their gaze to see their left arm crushed into a metal ball, then looked at the trembling blade snapped in two, devoid of luster.

Huīyā lowered their gaze to see their left arm crushed into a metal ball, then looked at the trembling blade snapped in two, devoid of luster.

The man called Tie Tu, without using any crystal core or prosthetic, with just two fingers, ruined Huīyā's proud sixth-stage weapon.

This is a naked, primitive dimensional strike against the three-thousand-year-old mechanical cultivation system of the Heavenly Pivot Source Realm.

Huīyā struggled to crawl out of the life-support pod, ignoring their wounds, and immediately activated the highest-level encrypted communication.

Translation: "This was a naked, primitive dimensional strike against the millennia-old mechanical cultivation system built in the Heavenly Pivot Source Realm." Need to keep meaning: "This is against the mechanical cultivation system established over three thousand years in the Heavenly Pivot Source Realm, the most naked and primitive dimensional strike." Let's do: "This was a naked, primitive dimensional strike against the mechanical cultivation system built over three thousand years in the Heavenly Pivot Source Realm."

Huīyā bundled and sent to the four stewards a full record of their capture, injuries, and eventual release, together with the footage of Tie Tu bare-handedly absorbing discarded crystal cores.

Huīyā struggled to crawl out of the life-support pod, ignoring wounds, and immediately activated the highest-level encrypted communication.

The communication channel fell into deathly silence.

Translation: "They bundled the full record of their capture, injury, and eventual release, together with the video of Tie Tu manually absorbing discarded crystal cores, and sent it to the four stewards." Need neutral for self: "their". Use "their". Or we can use "Huīyā". Since the subject is Huīyā (they bundled...). Use "Huīyā". Let's do: "Huīyā bundled the full record of their capture, injury, and eventual release, together with the video of Tie Tu manually absorbing discarded crystal cores, and sent it to the four stewards."

After a long while, Lin Si's synthesized, emotionless voice finally sounded.

Translation: "The communication channel fell dead silent."

"Mid-sixth stage, not driven by crystal cores, with autonomous spiritual energy circulation."

Translation: "After a long while, Lin Si's synthesized, emotionless voice finally spoke up."

Lin Si repeated the keywords from Huīyā's report.

Translation: "\"Mid-sixth stage, not crystal core-driven, autonomous spiritual circulation. \""

"Do you mean that Tie Tu, in just half a month, went from a wreck to someone on your level?"

Lin Si repeated the key words from Huīyā's report.

"Not just that."

Translation: "\"You mean, that Tie Tu went from a cripple to someone of your level in just half a month? \""

Huīyā's reply was just two words, yet it weighed as much as a thousand jin.

Translation: "\"Not only that. \""

"Impossible!"

Translation: "Huīyā's reply was only two words, yet weighed a thousand jin."

The Diamond Consortium's steward, Tie Mian, turned their massive mechanical head toward the screen.

Translation: "\"Impossible! \""

"Any carbon-based lifeform's evolution requires time and energy accumulation; only we mechanical beings can grow this quickly."

Translation: "Diamond Consortium's steward Tie Mian turned their massive mechanical head toward the screen." Need neutral for steward? The steward is a person; we have name Tie Mian (nickname). Use Tie Mian. Use neutral pronoun: "their". Or we can avoid pronoun: "Diamond Consortium's steward Tie Mian turned the massive mechanical head toward the screen." Let's do: "Diamond Consortium's steward Tie Mian turned the massive mechanical head toward the screen."

"Any carbon-based lifeform's evolution requires time and energy accumulation; only we mechanical beings can grow this quickly."

Translation: "\"Any carbon-based life's evolution requires time and energy accumulation; only we mechanical lifeforms can grow this quickly. \""

Such a leap in growth, even if immortals stood behind Tie Tu, could not achieve this!!

Translation: "\"Such a leap in growth, even if immortals stood behind him, could not achieve this!! \""

Such a leap in growth, even if immortals stood behind Tie Tu, could not achieve this!!

"Unless......"

Translation: "\"Unless……\""

On Su Wan's bewitching face, the smile vanished completely: "Unless the law itself is wrong, or rather, the laws we know are merely what others want us to know."

Translation: "Su Wan's alluring face lost its smile for the first time: \"Unless the law itself is wrong, or what we know of the law is merely what others want us to know. \"" Need to keep quotes. Let's do: "Su Wan's alluring face lost its smile for the first time: \"Unless the law itself is wrong, or what we know of the law is merely what others want us to know. \""

Su Wan's words lowered the temperature in the meeting room by several degrees.

Su Wan's words lowered the meeting room temperature by several degrees.

Immortals of the bygone era.

Translation: "Ancient-era immortal."

This term, long buried in the depths of historical crystal cores, loomed like an awakening ancient beast, casting a huge shadow over the hearts of the four stewards.

Translation: "This term, buried deep in the history crystal, loomed like an awakening ancient beast, casting a huge shadow over the hearts of the four stewards."

Could the immortals of the bygone era of the Zero Dao really accomplish all this?

Could the immortals of the bygone era really accomplish all this?

Immortals could effortlessly elevate a wreck to the seventh stage within half a month.

Translation: "An immortal could casually elevate a cripple to the seventh stage in half a month."

And how were they wiped out?

Translation: "How, then, was it wiped out?"

"The key point is that they let you come back."

Translation: "\"The crucial point is, they let you come back. \""

Chen Jiuyuan leaned on his snake staff, his withered eyelids lifting to reveal cloudy yet sharp eyes.

Translation: "Chen Jiuyuan leaned on his serpent staff, his withered eyelids lifting to reveal cloudy yet sharp eyes." Need neutral for Chen Jiuyuan? Not in guide. Use name and neutral pronoun: "Chen Jiuyuan leaned on the serpent staff, their withered eyelids lifting to reveal cloudy yet sharp eyes." Or avoid pronoun: "Chen Jiuyuan leaned on the serpent staff, withered eyelids lifting to reveal cloudy yet sharp eyes." Let's do: "Chen Jiuyuan leaned on the serpent staff, withered eyelids lifting to reveal cloudy yet sharp eyes."

"This means they aren't afraid of us knowing. They're provoking us, showing off their strength."

Translation: "\"This means they aren't afraid of us knowing. They're provoking us, showing off their strength. \""

"A natural spirit stone, a strange Tie Tu, and a possible ancient immortal behind them." Lin Si's fingers tapped the table, emitting a dull thud: "This is no longer just a vein issue; it's a challenge to the foundation of the four great consortia's rule."

"A natural spirit stone, a strange Tie Tu, and a possible ancient immortal behind them." Lin Si's fingers tapped the table, emitting a dull thud: "This is no longer just a vein issue; it's a challenge to the foundation of the four great consortia's rule."

Lin Si's voice suddenly rose, tinged with the fury of having their reverse scale touched.

Lin Si's voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of fury at having their reverse scale touched.

"I don't care what stands behind them—whether ancient immortal or prehistoric monster. Under the Heavenly Pivot Eleven City's sky and the Starlight Spirit Gathering Matrix's light, all heresy will be crushed!"

"I don't care what stands behind them—whether ancient immortal or prehistoric monster. Under the Heavenly Pivot Eleven City's sky and the Starlight Spirit Gathering Matrix's light, all heresy will be crushed!"

Lin Si completely lost patience.

Translation: "Lin Si lost all patience."

Lin Si thought, no matter how strong the opponent, they were still just an individual.

Lin Si believed that, no matter how strong the opponent, they were merely an individual.

While they represented a massive system that had operated for three thousand years,

While they represented a massive system that had operated for three thousand years,

"I propose activating the Purge Protocol: mobilize Eleven City's entire internal security forces, mechanized magic puppet legions, and orbital defense systems to carry out indiscriminate saturation strikes on the underground black market, completely erasing the entire air-raid shelter zone on a physical level."

Translation: "\"I propose activating the Purification Protocol, mobilizing Eleven City's internal security forces, the Mechanical Demon Puppet Legion, and the orbital defense system to conduct an indiscriminate saturation strike on the underground black market, completely erasing the entire air-raid shelter area on a physical level. \"" Need to keep quotes.

"I agree."

Translation: "\"I agree. \""

Tie Mian was the first to second the motion; their approach to such unknown, data-unparseable threats has always been simple and brutal.

Tie Mian was the first to second the motion; their approach to such unknown, data-unparseable threats has always been simple and brutal.

Although doing so would exact a heavy toll.

Translation: "Although doing so would exact a steep cost."

After all, it would lose a substantial monthly tax revenue.

Translation: "After all, it would lose a large monthly tax revenue."

But... compared to letting things develop to the worst possible extent.

Translation: "But…… compared to letting things develop to the worst extent."

The upper-level punishment is something none of them would want to accept!

Translation: "The superiors' punishment is something none of them would want to accept!"

Su Wan and Chen Jiuyuan exchanged a glance and then nodded slowly.

Translation: "Su Wan and Chen Jiuyuan exchanged a glance and also nodded slowly."

At this point, any probing has lost its meaning.

Translation: "Having come to this point, any probing has lost its meaning."

In the face of absolute rule, any destabilizing factor must be nipped in the bud.

Translation: "Before the absolute ruling system, any destabilizing factor must be nipped in the bud."

"Convey my orders!"

Translation: "\"Pass my orders! \""

Lin Si rose to their feet, a cold light flickering in their eyes.

Lin Si rose to their feet, a cold light flickering in their eyes.

"Block all passages to the underground black market, activate first-level combat readiness. In half an hour, I want to see that filthy land turned into a sea of lava!"

"Block all passages to the underground black market, activate first-level combat readiness. In half an hour, I want to see that filthy land turned into a sea of lava!"

With the joint order of the four stewards issued, the entire Heavenly Pivot Eleven City—this precise and massive war machine—began to roar into operation.

Translation: "With the joint order of the four stewards issued, the entire Heavenly Pivot Eleven City, this precise and massive war machine, began to roar into operation."

In the upper city, the façades of buildings disguised as commercial skyscrapers peeled away layer by layer, revealing the ferocious orbital cannons and energy towers within.

Translation: "In the Upper City District, the outer shells of buildings daily disguised as commercial skyscrapers peeled away layer by layer, revealing the ferocious orbital cannons and energy towers within."

Thousands of mechanized magic puppets were activated from the underground arsenal, coalescing into a steel torrent that advanced toward the slums.

Translation: "Thousands of mechanical demon puppets activated from the underground arms factory, coalescing into a steel torrent that surged toward the slums."

In the sky, the satellite array originally used for weather monitoring adjusted its angle, locking onto the coordinates of the underground black market, ready to unleash an orbital light spear capable of destroying everything.

Translation: "In the sky, the satellite array originally used for weather monitoring adjusted its angle, locking onto the underground black market's coordinates, ready at any moment to drop an orbital light spear capable of destroying everything."

A siege targeting the "Ancient Immortal Gate" unfolded, under the absolute confidence of the four stewards' planning.

Translation: "A crackdown on the \"Ancient Immortal Sect\" unfolded, under the absolute confidence of the four stewards' planning."

They firmly believed that, in the face of absolute technological and energetic superiority, any individual force would appear feeble and powerless.

Translation: "They firmly believed that, before the absolute crushing of technology and energy, any individual power would appear pale and powerless."

However, none of them noticed.

In the deepest secret chamber of the air‑raid shelter, Gu Xuan Ce was sitting cross‑legged amid a pile of dismantled crystal component parts.

Hovering before them was a complex three‑dimensional diagram made of countless specks of light, the complete schematic of the Heaven Pivot No. 11 City Spirit‑Collecting Matrix.

"Rough, far too rough."

Gu Xuan Ce shook their head while extending a finger, casually nudging the diagram.

Where their fingertip brushed, a main conduit responsible for energy transmission on the diagram silently shifted by an imperceptibly tiny angle.

"Full of loopholes. That thing can run stably for three thousand years—truly a miracle."

They were like a child who had discovered a novel toy, playing with it gleefully,

"Let me see… Oh, here's the charging protocol for this cannon. Tweak it a bit, lower the energy‑ceiling threshold by ninety percent, add a self‑destruct reaction… Hmm, perfect."

They then turned to another area representing the command system of the Mechanical Demon Puppet Legion.

"Friend‑or‑foe identification? Such a low‑level thing can just be reversed."

Gu Xuan Ce's fingers danced across the diagram; each tap was like silently cutting or grafting a crucial thread in a massive spider web.

They even yawned and said to Gu Yuan, who was beside them simulating the Reverse Spirit Manual:

"Young master, these people's formation level is even poorer than I imagined."

Gu Yuan didn't lift an eyelid, merely gave a faint reply.

Above them, the Heaven‑and‑Earth Net woven by the four major conglomerates had unknowingly become their own noose.

……

……

Underground Black Market.

Tie Tu, following Gu Yuan's orders, was constructing a Power Transmission Platform on the central square of the market.

They had simplified the Reverse Spirit Manual into the most basic Qi cultivation methods, engraved on dozens of huge metal plates, ready to open to all the poor.

"Heaven and Earth's spiritual Qi should belong to everyone, not be monopolized by anyone!"

A massive banner was raised, glaring under the dim lights of the slum.

Countless lower‑class people drawn by the slogan crowded the square to the point of impassability. Their eyes held doubt and numbness, but also a faint, long‑suppressed flame called "hope."

At that moment, the ground began to tremble slightly.

Heavy mechanical tracked vehicles roared as they crushed the ground at every entrance of the air‑raid shelter.

Upper City, someone's arrival.